The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-03
LIVING ON AIR.
Frauds Who Manage to Make Other People
Pay Their Expenses-A Case in Point.

Frauds Who Manage Make Other People
Pay Their Expenses-A Case in Point.
Special TO the 1ndianapolis Journal
NEW YORK. April There are hundreds of
men about New York who are known not to have
dollar, but apparently live at the rate of 5000
per year At the Hoffman House know at least
FIVE of such men, and there is not person who
knows them who does not wonder how they man
age to lire at such an expensive hotel. One of
them is man well known all over the United
States, and he has lived here for more thanthre
years, to my certain knowledge without having
performed days work. He had always led me
to believe, as he had every one else, that he oc-
cuped the best room in the hotel. and it was
only few weeks ago I found that he did not
live there at all. Like the others, he has method
of living which is at least novel He associates
with the leading men of the country, and 1t is
necessary for him to keep up an appearance of
prosperity. If it was known that he lived
in a boarding house many of these men
would refuse to associate with him. Still
he DOES live in a boarding house al the
same-at least he has small room in one
which does not cost him more than So per week
In view of the fact that ne has such a large and
valuable acquaintance, the hotel allows him the
of letter-box that all his mail is sent to
the hotel He walks in there every morning,
and asks in loud tone of voice, so that every
one can hear him: lis there any mail in my
box!' Then those who hear this, wonder how
tia man can afford to live at the hotel
During the day this well-known character
whose title is Colonel, meets any number of
prominent men from all parts of the country
Some of these gentlemen want to be informed
about the best places of amusement and the
Colonel, who Is well posted upon such matters,
as. indeed upon all others, gladly gives them
the desired information. Possibly he gives them
points on the stock market, and should they prove
profitable the Colonel may share in the result
Among other things, ne may possibly recon-
mend his friends to tailor, and he is to
have a tailor know it. as it will make great
difference with him when he wants suit of
clothes for himself
Nine times out of ten he will be invited out
to dinner But once in while he fails in this,
and he slips off and takes dinner all alone at
some cheap restaurant. lie always waits until
the place is about deserted, and then he hides
himself away in a corner | saw him in one of
these restaurants the other night and when he
saw me he tried to hide behind a newspaper.
When l went up and spoke TO him he acted as
if he had been caught trying to slip some OF the
tableware in his pocket.
.'Do you see that lady aud gentleman over at
that tablet he Immediately asked. We'll there
is a peculiar circumstance connected with them.
ard | came In here simply to have q chance to
study them
/ pretended 70 believe his explanation by re-
marking that of his taste could hardly
bring himself to eat in cheap restaurant.
A hotel clerk told me there We're any number
of here just like the Colonel and for their
accomm odaton the hotels rent letter boxes. In
return for the rent of these boxes the hetsl peo-
pie pretend that these fellows live in the hotel.
| By this means they make their friends relieve
they are living IN expensive style. when probably
$500 per yeav will pay their actual expenses.
Most of this money is borrowed
HARRY WALKER